Mitch Smith
Mitch Smith is a Chicago-based national correspondent for The New York Times, primarily covering news from the Midwest and Great Plains. He travels regularly to cover stories across the American Midwest, a vast and fascinating region that spans parts of three time zones. His territory includes some of the country's largest cities and some of its most remote places, presenting a range of topics such as state-level politics, agriculture, property rights, gun violence, natural disasters and policing. Mitch has spent his life and career in the region that he covers and has degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern University. He joined the Chicago bureau of The Times in 2014 after working at The Chicago Tribune. Mitch is committed to journalism that is fair, complete, and factual, and that respects the people and places he writes about. Like all Times journalists, he works to uphold the standards outlined in our Ethical Journalism Handbook. You can contact Mitch at mitch.smith@nytimes.com or follow him on Twitter @mitchksmith.
Biography:
https://www.nytimes.com/by/mitch-smith
83%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
87%
Examples:
- The author also seems to have a focus on state-level politics, agriculture, property rights, gun violence, natural disasters and policing in the Midwest region of the United States.
- The author has a tendency to present both sides of a story, but sometimes leans towards including quotes and opinions that support a particular narrative. In some cases, the author uses sensationalist language to create fear and manipulate readers into believing that certain treatments or actions are harmful when there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Conflicts of Interest
90%
Examples:
- The author has a conflict of interest in covering stories related to the Midwest region of the United States as they have degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern University and have spent their life and career in this region.
- There may be instances where the author's personal beliefs or opinions may influence their reporting, but it is not clear if this has happened in any specific article.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- In some articles, there are contradictions within the information provided such as age of suspects in crimes or number of vehicles vandalized.
- Sometimes, the author presents facts and figures that may not be fully understood by readers without further context or explanation.
- There are also instances where the author provides information that may seem confusing to readers but upon closer examination, it turns out to be accurate.
Deceptions
76%
Examples:
- In some cases, the author uses sensationalist language to create fear and manipulate readers into believing that certain treatments or actions are harmful when there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
- There are also instances where the author may present information in a way that could be misleading without providing enough context for readers.
Recent Articles
Iowa's Six-Week Abortion Ban: Impact, Exceptions, and Opposition
Broke On: Monday, 29 July 2024Iowa's six-week abortion ban, effective July 2024, restricts most abortions after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo. The law reversed a temporary injunction and has led to increased demand for services in neighboring states. Exceptions include rape, incest, fetal abnormality or life-threatening conditions for the mother. Opposition from organizations such as Planned Parenthood and ACLU of Iowa argues infringement on reproductive rights, raising concerns about health inequities for marginalized groups. 
Politically Motivated Attacks in Hancock, Michigan: One Man Critically Injured, Another Dead
Broke On: Tuesday, 23 July 2024In Hancock, Michigan, a suspect used an ATV to critically injure an 80-year-old man putting up Trump signs and killed another person in politically motivated attacks last weekend. Police are investigating three incidents, including damaging a truck with a Trump sticker and vandalizing law enforcement appreciated vehicles. The recent wave of violence follows a shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, raising concerns for election workers' safety. Former President Trump, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned political violence. 
Kansas Supreme Court Strikes Down Two Anti-Abortion Laws, Reinforcing Constitutional Protections for Personal Autonomy: A Victory for Reproductive Rights
Broke On: Friday, 05 July 2024In August 2023, the Kansas Supreme Court struck down two anti-abortion laws, permanently blocking the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act and regulations for abortion clinics. These rulings upheld constitutional protections for bodily autonomy and attracted thousands of patients to Kansas, where about 20,000 abortions were performed in 2023. 
Wisconsin Supreme Court Allows Secure Ballot Drop Boxes for 2024 Election
Broke On: Friday, 05 July 2024The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that municipal clerks may use secure drop boxes for returning absentee ballots in the 2024 presidential election, overturning a previous decision. The liberal majority's decision comes amidst ongoing debates over voting access and security. Critics argue it politicizes the judiciary, while supporters view it as a victory for democracy and fair elections. 
Century-Old Rapidan Dam in Minnesota Faces Imminent Failure Amidst Floods and Climate Change: Residents Brace for Worse as Mississippi River Rises
Broke On: Tuesday, 25 June 2024The Rapidan Dam in Minnesota faces imminent failure due to floods caused by heavy rainfall, raising concerns among local officials and residents. The century-old dam's age and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change have put it at risk. With climate change making dangerous weather more common and the average age of an American dam approaching 60, experts warn about decaying dams and potential catastrophic floods caused by their failures. As the Mississippi River reaches flood stage in St. Paul, causing moderate flooding, authorities prepare for rising waters by closing roads and parks. 
Midwest Crisis: Heatwave and Flooding Displace Thousands, Claim Lives in Iowa and South Dakota
Broke On: Sunday, 23 June 2024A combination of extreme heat and flooding in the Midwest US has resulted in widespread damage and displacement, with at least one fatality reported in South Dakota. Cities such as Rock Valley, Iowa, and Spencer, Iowa, have been hit hard by the floods. Residents are urged to volunteer for cleanup efforts and avoid driving through flooded areas. Governors Kim Reynolds and Kristi Noem predict a long recovery process ahead. Meanwhile, tens of millions of Americans are affected by a heatwave shifting to the southeast, mid- south, and central Plains. 
Federal Judge Blocks Iowa's Controversial Immigration Law: A Preliminary Injunction Against Senate File 2340
Broke On: Monday, 17 June 2024A federal judge in Iowa temporarily blocked the state's new immigration law on June 17, 2024, ruling that it conflicted with federal immigration law. The law would have allowed state authorities to file criminal charges against individuals with deportation orders or previous denials of entry into the US. Supporters argued for stricter immigration enforcement in response to perceived federal inaction, but opponents claimed it violated constitutional principles and could harm asylum seekers. The judge granted a preliminary injunction, and Iowa's Attorney General vowed to appeal. 
Barack Obama Marks Milestone as Chicago's Obama Presidential Center Reaches Full Height
Broke On: Monday, 10 June 2024Former President Barack Obama visited the nearly completed 225-foot tall construction site of his presidential center in Chicago, which is set to open to the public in two years. The 19-acre campus near Lake Michigan will feature a museum, library branch, athletic center and more. Despite facing criticism and legal challenges, the project is expected to bring economic benefits to the South Side of Chicago. 
Michigan State Trooper Charged with Second-Degree Murder for Fatal Hit-and-Run During Pursuit
Broke On: Wednesday, 17 April 2024A Michigan State Police detective, Brian Keely, has been charged with second-degree murder for striking and killing 25-year-old Samuel Sterling with his unmarked SUV during a pursuit in Grand Rapids on April 17, 2023. Sterling had multiple outstanding warrants and fled from officers before being struck. Keely's actions were deemed legally negligent by the Michigan Attorney General's Office, leading to Sterling's death and community protests. 
Multiple Lawsuits Allege Widespread Sexual Abuse in Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers from 1996 to 2017
Broke On: Monday, 06 May 2024Multiple lawsuits accuse Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and Corrections of allowing widespread sexual abuse in detention centers from 1996 to 2017. Allegations include rape, forced oral sex, beatings, groping, and threats or rewards for silence. At least six identified repeat offenders among staff. State's use of strip searches perpetuated abuse; Illinois among worst states for sexual abuse in detention facilities according to 2013 survey.